Editorial Reviews

An existential mind-boggler of a novel, Remaking Martin is a wildly original near-future drama by Nezih Unen. The premise of existing with an identical copy of yourself and analyzing it for imperfections, while also reckoning with the rush of mortality and an unavoidable identity crisis, makes this a gripping read with “two” fascinating protagonists. The creative strength of the plot covers for some weakness in the characterization and dialogue, while the philosophical questions the narrative poses will carry on long after the last page. This is sci-fi how it should be: just far enough away from reality to feel like […]

An eclectic and thought-provoking collection of essays, stories, and poems, The Stirring of the Birds by William Kenneth Jones is undeniably original, filled with symbolism, philosophical conundrums, and the sort of probing language that will keep readers turning the pages. From historical accounts of disasters and discoveries that defy reality to dark existential poems and ominous pieces of flash fiction, this book will challenge what you think you know. While some of the technical aspects need improvement, including grammatical inconsistencies, occasionally unpolished poetry, and some sloppy formatting, this unusual gathering of thoughts remains a uniquely mysterious and unpredictable journey.

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A musician with a heart of gold makes for an unusual but compelling father figure in The Gracie Chronicles by Irene Williams. This years-spanning novel captures the tragedy and hard-fought triumphs of a non-traditional family, where the bonds of love and protection are often stronger than blood. With touching moments of paternal growth, thought-provoking decisions for parents young and old, and a remarkable young girl at the heart of this story, Williams delivers a powerful take on modern families. Though the dialogue can be awkward, and the plot does have a tendency to wander, this is a patient and compassionate […]

A unique and insightful take on leadership practices, How to Grow Tall Poppies: A Practical Guide To Cultivating High-Performance Teams by Rajiv Jayarajah is specifically focused on how to elevate the commitment and quality of individual workers, rather than companies. This slight twist on a classic business book sets this collection of wisdom apart, while delivering actionable items to readers who want to become better managers and colleagues. Some of the anecdotal stories delve into unnecessary detail, but the knowledge shared throughout the book is authentic and clearly comes from a genuine desire to help others. Jayarajah is an excellent […]

A refreshing piece of visionary fiction that is far more utopian than dystopian, One Star by K.G. Marian is endlessly creative and profoundly inspiring. Using a marvelously twisted dialect of language, Anglish, the author instantly immerses readers in an alternate reality, a “Twilight Zone” version of America called Vaticania in which the common good is celebrated, and humanity is given the chance to reach its potential. A family drama, a philosophical treatise, and an experimental novel all in one, this book stands out for its inventiveness and originality. Centering on the complex trials and struggles of one fascinating family, this […]

Uplifting, spiritually charged, and diverse, Del Mundo: A Gift of Poetry is a delicate collection from poet Jose Day. Ranging widely from social commentary and historical reflections to longing love poems and intimate portraits of everyday life, these pieces are outwardly simple, but emotionally complex and universally relatable. There is a general lack of imagery and poetic style, in lieu of narrative recollection or musing in verse form. More variety in the structure of the poems could give the collection greater range in that storytelling vein, making this intimate and revealing collection even stronger.

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Dirt Road Main Street by Cynthia L. Clark is an engaging rock ‘n’ roll dive into the world of music, memory, and the madness only love can inspire. Tano and Holly are star-crossed and time-cursed lovers, allowing this book to explore the challenges of true connection, the pain of life’s lonely roads, and the indescribable power of music. Written in simple prose, but edged with truck-stop grit, the dialogue is sharp and Southern, while the plot moves quick, unconcerned with excess descriptions or flowery language. Navigating life’s obstacles to hit the perfect chord of true love is no easy feat, […]

A 2020 collection of savagely good writers, The VD Anthology, Vol. 2 brings together more than a dozen excerpts, stories and poems from Club Verbal Discharge. From letters to Coronavirus and nostalgic greasy spoon tales in London to modern-day bigotry and the trauma of losing one’s sight, these are hard-hitting and unpredictable pieces. Laced with British vernacular and colloquial speech, this eclectic gathering is well-edited and curated, without any notable weak points, and displays a masterful use of language. These stories come across as gritty, authentic and raw, yet they are also polished and precise, evidence of the obviously talented […]